REGISTERED NURSE DIRECTOR 42145

A

This is the first class in the Registered Nurse Director series. Positions in this class function as assistant nursing directors in charge of a major division of a nursing program in facilities with extensive nursing service areas or programs; or as the director of nursing in facilities with less extensive nursing areas or programs. This class is distinguished from the Registered Nurse Director Senior by the latter's direction of the nursing department in facilities or hospitals with extensive nursing areas or programs, or of a statewide correctional nursing program with multiple units or specialty areas.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of considerable difficulty in directing nursing services. Typical duties are to recruit, interview, and select, nursing staff; assess and identify staffing patterns to determine the most appropriate utilization of resources; develop budgets and monitor expenditures; analyze patient outcome data to identify trends and needs for nursing care; develop a departmental quality improvement plan; monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of quality improvement and risk management programs; participate in peer review; formulate and administer nursing policies and procedures; establish, administer, and evaluate orientation and in-service training programs for nursing personnel; define and interpret nursing care and nursing standards to comply with hospital and regulatory agency standards; make unit rounds on all shifts; and resolve personnel-related performance issues. Positions participate in nursing management committees, serves on administrative planning teams, and may participate in research programs. Some positions may also serve as program administrators of a major patient unit or center, which involves directing services of nursing and other kinds of human services staff such as social workers, teachers, speech pathologists, and activities specialists.

Supervision Received: Receives general direction from a Registered Nurse Director Senior or other facility administrator.

Supervision Given: Provides direction to Registered Nurse Managers, Registered Nurse Supervisors, and support staff.

Scope: Positions manage and direct facility-wide nursing programs or serve as assistant directors of nursing in charge of assigned programs.

Impact of Actions: Actions taken by this position will seriously impact on the practice of professional nursing at the facility or institution, care and treatment of patients and residents, and compliance with accrediting and certifying standards.

Personal Contacts: Frequent internal and external contacts with all levels of agency personnel, community service providers, hospitals, and other state agencies to direct, provide, monitor, and evaluate nursing services.

Knowledge: Considerable knowledge of the theory and practice of professional nursing and of administrative practices and procedures.

Skills: None identified for this class.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to plan, implement, evaluate, and direct a nursing program; to direct nursing personnel; to communicate effectively, orally and in writing; to develop standards of care; and to recommend policies and procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

License or Certification: Licensed or eligible for licensure as a Registered Nurse with the Virginia Board of Nursing.

Education or Training: Bachelor of Science in Nursing or graduation from an accredited school of professional nursing plus substantial continuing clinical education.

Level and Type of Experience: Considerable professional nursing management experience.

This class replaces the Registered Nurse Manager A class.